Unexpected

Part 17

I only have time to spend breakfast with Sangil's family before we have to get ready for the shooting. He offers the services of his hair and makeup artists, and I take advantage of them. I ask for a slightly more dramatic look than usual, but not too much.

"My company is giving us a long vacation," he announces as we're getting our makeup put on. "We talked earlier about the Australian Grand Prix. If you're still up for it, I can be there for the whole weekend."

"Sangil, I would love that. You're talking about Friday through Sunday? Or earlier still?"

"Does anything happen earlier?"

"Press conference and media interviews. Meetings with fans. Other obligations the team sets up. The first practice session is on Friday."

"Then I think I'll fly in Thursday evening. And we have We Got Married filming on Monday, so technically till then."

"Right. Both my parents and several siblings will be there. But don't be nervous. They'll love you as much as your family loves me."

"Only that much, huh?" he jokes.

The Snuper members arrive before we're finished getting ready. The noise level quadruples instantly.

"You still hang around this guy?" asks Woosung. "I would have thought you knew better by now."

Poor Sangil. His members tease him constantly.

"The more I know him, the more I like him," I reply.

"We believe you" Suhyun reassures me. "That's exactly what happened to— no, wait, I'm mistaken. That's not what happened to us. Quite the opposite."

Our chairs are close to each other, so I reach over and hold his hand. I think that they can't see from their angle. Sangil turns his head to look at me and grins. They tease us some more before Taewoong asks if we want to go to the sauna tonight.

"It's a great way to relax," he tells us, walking over. "Hey, hey, what's this?"

Sangho joins him and explains. "Skinship."

From their reactions you would think they never saw anyone hold hands before. And we aren't being filmed yet. Sangil's face is completely red. I'm not sure if I should let go or not.

"This is not allowed," declares Sebin, "Because it makes me jealous. I haven't held a girl's hand in ages."

"You held plenty of hands at our last fan meeting," says Woosung.

"Not the same and you know it!"

"Here, hold my hand," Sangho volunteers.

Sebin turns away in disgust.

"Speaking of holding girls' hands," says Taewoong, "are you going to have some sort of party where you invite us and your girl friends?"

I decide to tease them. "My close friends are named Alex, George, Antonio, Nobuharu, and Jack."

Some of them look blank, but Suhyun asks, "Aren't those boys' names?"

"Yes."

"Don't you have female friends?"

"Not many that are old enough for you."

Sangho and Sebin laugh, but Suhyun is undeterred. "I'm okay with an eight year gap."

"Barely legal?" I gasp.

"Hey! This is for entertainment purposes."

I smile. "Don't worry. This sort of gathering will likely happen. Maybe next time you guys are in Japan. But I don't have a large pool from which to choose, so don't be too excited. Are you guys okay with athletes?"